The best mosquito repellents, from sprays to lotions

Forget the citronella. These repellents have ingredients that are known to be effective.

Mosquitos are small but formidable creatures. In addition to causing itching, mosquito bites can transmit diseases like malaria, West Nile, dengue, and chikungunya, according to Richard J. Pollack, Ph.D., senior environmental public health officer at Harvard University.

Pollack explains that choosing the right mosquito repellent depends on the person and the circumstances. However, “a good repellent can dramatically reduce the number of bites a person receives,” he says. That “will not only reduce how often we’ll suffer itching from the bites, but it should also reduce the chance that we’ll become infected by the pathogens the mosquito might pass onto us,” Pollack says.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to selecting a mosquito repellent. However, we chose Deep Woods Off as our best mosquito repellent overall because it has long-lasting protection, ingredients proven to repel mosquitos, and a nonsticky formula most people will be able to tolerate.

Continue reading more of this article, written by Jamie Davis Smith here.

IMESASISHWA MWISHO

February 7, 2025

Imeandikwa na
Mwandishi wa Blogu ya Picha

Jiografia ya Taifa

Maelezo ya vyombo vya habari kutoka National Geographic

Kuchukua ufahamu wetu na ufahamu wa dunia zaidi kwa zaidi ya miaka 130.

Chunguza Maudhui Zaidi

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

It's a 0.1 micron inline filter that fits in the palm of your hand and attaches to an included drinking pouch.

Stephanie Dwilson
Commerce Writer, Athlon Sports

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

For extreme bug conditions (deep woods, swamps), pairing the shirt with a dedicated insect repellent like Sawyer Permethrin is recommended, as the shirt itself isn’t chemically treated.

Philip Werner
Author and Backpacker

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

Sawyer Squeeze: What I will use to filter from dirty to clean water

Kiley V
Hiker